Gary E. Gilley

by Southern View Chapel
(Springfield, Illinois)

Dr. Gary E. Gilley

Our Pastor, Gary Gilley, has been pastoring Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois for over 30 years. He is the most driven individual we have ever met and a man who truly loves the Word of God.

Along with his preaching and teaching ministry, Pastor Gary is also the author and general editor of the monthly contemporary theological issues publication "Think on These Things." He has authored several books including, "I Just Wanted More Land Jabez," "This Little Church Went to Market, This Little Church Stayed Home" and "Is That You Lord?"

Pastor Gilley received his B.A. from Moody Bible Institute and his M.B.S. and Th.D. from Cambridge Graduate School. He and his wife Marsha have two adult children, Ben and Brian, and three grandchildren.

In addition to speaking at various conferences throughout the country and overseas, Pastor Gilley serves on the board of the Brazil Gospel Fellowship Mission and the advisory board of Personal Freedom Outreach.

Two weeks ago today we nearly lost our dear Pastor to a Staph infection of the blood. Only by God's grace and the many prayers of the Elders, church members, friends and family was he spared.

We would like to take this opportunity to tell Pastor Gary how much we truly appreciate him. We can't imagine what it would be like without him as our leader. We just praise God for his continued hand of healing and look forward to the time he is strong enough to resume his full duties.

Comments for Gary E. Gilley

We are so glad you are okay!! We are so glad to be under your leadership and a part of SVC. Just know that we are praying for you and Love you!!

Love In Christ,
Brian and Candace Housam

God is Goodby: Ron & Bev

Gary,

I am not good at writing as you know but we wanted to express our love for you and Marsha. It is great to have you back in the office and working me hard. When we fist came to SVC I was not sure how it would be as I had only known one church all my life. You and the people at SVC made us very welcome, as if we had always been there. I know your leadership was a big part of their response to us (and the rest of us who came from CBC). We thank God for your dedication to study and the pastorate at SVC.

I consider it a privilege to be allowed to work in the office under your direction.

ThanksWe love you and Marsha.

Ron and Bev

Joyby: Karissa

Consider it all joy my brethren when you encounter various trials....
I'm so thankful that you are doing better. But I'm even more thankful for this verse and what I'm sure it means to you now. I'm so thankful that we can really have joy even when we are unsure in life. I'm thankful that God is refining my pastor so that He might see His image in you!

Praying for youby: Jonathan Tucker

Pastor,
Just wanted to write a note to encourage you, I'm praying for you down here in Oaxaca, Mexico. Praise the Lord for your recovery, I look forward to seeing you in August!

Hope to meet face to face someday!by: Pat Lane, the Grammar Nazi

Dear Gary,
You know I think you're the smartest man in the world (and one of the funniest). I guess that goes without saying. You are my source for spiritual information and critiques of books and authors. I quote you to my friends. I make them read your TOTTs. I also make my pastor read your TOTTs. I also read them myself, even though I have already read them once when I edited them. It is good stuff! I found out, thanks to Bev and Linda and Kris, that you were very very sick and I was stunned to think that my Iron Man was laid low. Good thing we have such a great God, eh? Good thing He answers prayer and protects the ones we love and heals the sick. Thank you, God, for giving Gary back to us. Thank you, Gary, for being a good patient and obeying the doctors and nurses. Blessings (with thanksgiving) from your California Grammar Nazi. Or is that Nazi-ette?
Pat

So thankful!by: Michelle Shaver

Gary,

I'm very thankful to our great Lord that you're on the road to recovery. You've been instrumental in the spiritual growth of so many with your sermons, Sunday school lessons and counsel; I'm grateful the Lord is mercifully carrying you through this time and that He's strengthening you daily. I can't wait until you return to the pulpit, but don't rush it! Get your rest, stay hydrated and eat well. Brian's doing a fantastic job in the interim.

With love and prayers,
Michelle

Thrilled and Thankfulby: Carol

Dear Gary, It was so thrilling to see you at church Sunday.We have missed you very much. SVC just isn't the same without you there. I thank the Lord for His mercy in sparing us sorrow upon sorrow. We are looking forward to having you back in the saddle again. Now that you have finished your ABX therapy. Do give yourself time to recover with adequate rest, fluids, and nutrition. So you won't have relapse.We still need you.WE love you.The 3 C's

Answer to Prayerby: Lisa Woodson Marcure

The first time I met you when you came to SVC I was in the 6th grade. I thought, "What a funny little man." I didn't think you would stay. The other youth minister just stayed a few years and moved on. I am glad I was wrong and had the opportunity to be in your youth group. I feel blessed to have grown up under your preaching. And glad to have returned to SVC after my Dad died. God has really used you in bringing forth the truth and I'm thankful you are still here to continue on. I have really appreciated your compassion, knowledge and ability to expound the word.

Answered Prayerby: Nancy B.

Gary,
We've been praying since we heard of your problems with the staph infection. I echo other's sentiments that I will also pray for your ability to be a patient patient and let time and rest and medicine continue to have it's desired effect. God is good all the time and we are so thankful for your healing and will continue to pray for your strengthening and soon return to full ministry.
In His Love,
Nancy and Tom

Get well soonby: Kim Foster

Gary:

Just wanted to express my gratefulness to the Lord for His grace in your life and Marsha's (and our's) by His care for you through this ordeal. It'll be good to have you back in the pulpit soon, but don't push too hard. Brian and others have been doing a great job so take the time to heal up well.

Kim

Get Well Soon!!by: Rennolds Family

Gary - Kim and I often discuss how blessed we are that the Lord placed us at Southern View Chapel under your teaching! We have been praying for a quick recovery. Thanks for your hard work and faithfulness bringing God's word to us for so many years! Brian is doing a great job but we miss your Cubs jokes (I think). Jack, Kim, Michael and Nathan

Praying for youby: Brother Luther - - Kris and Ron's friend

Dear Pastor Gilley:

Kris cole informed me of your physical problems and I have and will pray for you. Just as you do in my most difficult times I find that God has a specific rhema for me found only in His word. I like to call these, and the kindness' of family and friends "hugs" from God. Life is tough, but God is good. Problems appear out of no-where, but God is good. I praise God for you and your ministry.

Luther Eslinger
Psalms 34:3

Praise God!by: Tara

So thankful that you are on the road to recovery! We miss your sermons greatly, but appreciate what a wonderful job Brian has done in the past weeks. The Lord is good!
Tara B.

God is Good!by: Linda K.

You are such a blessing to us. We thank God for His goodness and grace in giving us a pastor and friend like you. Take it easy and let your body rest. We love you.

Linda, Doug, & Girls

The Power of Prayerby: Dave & Kathy Cunningham

I have always been intrigued by the power and effectiveness of prayer. Over the years I have preached and taught several times on the subject of prayer--and each time I do, I personally consider anew the distinct privilege and profound mystery of prayer in light of the absolute sovereignty of God. Kathy and I, and your friends at the Harvest Community Church in Maroa, have faithfully prayed for you throughout your illness and are now celebrating with you that God has chosen to do a special work in your body. As I understand it, people all over the country (and world) have been praying for you, and once again, we have witnessed the faithfulness of God and the great power of prayer. Your ministry in our lives has been profound and greatly appreciated. We are very thankful to the Lord that you are on the mend!

With thanksgiving and praiseby: Linda C.

Hello Gary,

Who knew almost 18 years ago we would attend this church that would bless our family with such love and friendship. I remember when I first came I was so thirsty to learn and couldn't take enough notes...I just couldn't get enough. Women's bible study with Reathal Lankford on 1 John was wonderful...I loved everything about SVC. I can't thank the Lord enough for leading our little family to SVC and am so thankful he has blessed you with the gift of teaching. May your recovery be swift and may the Lord keep you from being restless and trying to get back too soon. We want you back but not at the price of your health. We love and miss your fellowship. Be well!

God at Workby: Brandon and Melissa Smith

We are thankful to hear that you're beginning to recover. We prayed for you here in South Carolina during your deep water. We know that God is not at work only in the healing ... He is just as much at work in the sickness. So we hope that your physical difficulty will serve to complete your faith en route to your continued use by God for His glory.

Medicine or Miracle?by: Anonymous

Gary, as a former member of Southern View but now living in Tennessee I taught Sunday School last week. The message was "Medicine or Miracle". I referred to James 5:14, the passage that pertains to 'elders praying over their sick flock.' You were my example of one who benefited from both medicine and miracle but I dare say it is the Lord that provides the miracle of medicine in his own due time. Praise God for your healing! He obviously has more for you to do!

George and Trease Koertge

Next book titlesby: 'The Andrews'

Hi Gary,

Is it true that the titles of your next 2 books will be 'This little Pastor nearly went home to heaven' followed by 'This little Pastor stayed here by the gracious will of the Lord'

We pray on that He will strengthen you day by day and return you soon to His battle for His glory.

With much love to you and Marsha

Cecil, Margaret and not forgetting Benji
Psalm 28:7

Thank youby: David

I have just been amazed by your faithfulness to this body of Believers and to the Truth of Christ. It has been very encouraging to see you every week, even when you aren't feeling well, serving your Lord and mine. Thanks for the example that you have been and I am thankful to God that you are on a road to recovery, take care and don't push it too hard.

:-Dby: Cari

Pastor Gary,
Wow, over the last couple of weeks God has done some amazing things with your health and showing our church body his great power. I am still praying for you and hope you continue to rest and can soon make a full recovery. It was so good to see you at church on Sunday! Keep gettin' lots of rest and we'll keep praying for ya :)

-Cari

Praise God!by: Dan Souther

It's good to hear that you are doing better! May God be glorified in all of this. I'll keep praying for you.

Thank youby: Cristi Lewis

Dear Pastor,
We are so thankful to be here at Southern View and to be under your loving leadership. We are praying for you and your recovery. Thank you for your faithfulness!

Get Well Soon!!by: Jennifer

Pastor Gilley,

It was great to see you at church yesterday. What a blessing!!!!! You have been really missed around the church. Brian is doing a great job however, we still miss you.

Take your time and rest. We do not want you pushing yourself to get well and have made yourself worse. We all want you back but your health is more important.

Get Well Soon!by: Matt

Pastor Gilley,

It was so good to see you at church yesterday. I hope you are starting to feel a little better and get your strength back. Brian has done a great job filling in, so don't push yourself back too soon.

My Jesus, I love theeby: Christy Steiner

Gary,
I do remember a few years ago, in the old church building you saying that you wanted "My Jesus, I love thee" played at your funeral. I'm not sure if you remember saying that (Brian said you wouldn't!) but I do because of the line "And say when the death dew lies cold on my brow, If ever I loved Thee, my Jesus, ’tis now". That line made it connect in my mind (however many years ago)- death-funeral-yet rejoicing. I understood why you wanted that song to be sung at your funeral.
We happened to sing it this past Sunday, and when the song began, I looked over at you singing it and I was so very thankful that it wasn't your funeral! With tears brimming my eyes I thanked the Lord for you, for his sovereignty, and that he saw fit to keep you here with us.
I appreciate you, your faithful ministry to SVC and my family.
We love you very much!
Christy Steiner and family

P.S. You will have to let me know if you remember saying that you wanted My Jesus, I love thee sung at your funeral, I'm curious! :)

Praise God for Garyby: Kris

Gary, we are so thankful to the Lord that He is healing you day by day. We can't imagine what our world would be without you. Oh how Romans 8:28 is so true!! Please take your time coming back. We all know how difficult it will be for you to rest given the driven man you are, but your body has been through so much....so, please, please, take care of yourself.